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0161 383 8855Charged with dangerous driving? The line between dangerous and careless decides everything.
One carries a mandatory ban and an extended retest. The other usually does not. Moving a charge from one to the other is often the single most valuable thing a specialist can do. Free consultation, callback within 1 working hour.
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Privately funded representation. Legal aid is not available for this type of case.
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Confidential and free of charge. No obligation to instruct us. We call you back within 1 working hour — Monday to Friday.
Dangerous driving is one of the few motoring offences that regularly ends in custody
Dangerous driving under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 means driving that falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver. Careless driving only requires the standard to fall below it. That one word is the difference between a mandatory ban and a fine.
The extended retest is the consequence people underestimate. It is longer, harder and more expensive than the standard test, and it must be passed before you can drive again at all.
The prosecution has to prove your driving fell far below the standard
Not merely below it. That word carries the entire case, and it is where dangerous driving prosecutions most often fail or get reduced.
Where we are instructed early, it is frequently possible to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce a dangerous driving charge to careless driving. That single change removes the mandatory disqualification, removes the extended retest, and usually removes any prospect of custody. It is the most valuable outcome available in many of these cases, and it becomes far harder to achieve once positions have hardened.
What we examine in every case
- Whether the driving actually meets the legal threshold for ‘dangerous’ rather than careless
- Whether a sudden and unexpected mechanical failure caused the incident, supported by expert evidence
- Whether a medical emergency such as a seizure or cardiac event explains what happened
- Whether necessity or duress applies — you drove as you did to avoid a serious threat
- Whether you were in fact the driver, where identity is in issue
- CCTV, dashcam and witness evidence that contradicts the prosecution account
- Instructing accident reconstruction specialists, vehicle engineers or medical experts where they will help
If you decide to plead guilty, that is not the end of what can be done. An early plea attracts credit, and well-prepared mitigation on your driving record and personal circumstances materially affects the length of the ban and the sentence imposed.
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Which of these describes your case?
These charges arise from very different circumstances, and the defence follows the facts. Tell us what happened.
Not sure which applies to you? That is exactly what the free consultation is for.
From your first call to your court date
No call centres, no scripts. You speak to a motoring solicitor about your own case.
We call you back within 1 working hour.
Call us or send your details. We review what has happened, explain where you stand and set out your realistic options. No charge and no obligation.
Charge sheet, court date, licence, any documents the police gave you. This is where the procedural issues that matter usually surface.
We agree the fee in writing before any work starts. You know the figure and it does not change.
We open your file, take your full statement and prepare your case for the first hearing.
Rated 5.0 on Google
★★★★★
My case was very complex but they fought long and hard. No ban, and I kept my licence with no penalty points.
Imtiaz A. · Google review
★★★★★
He went out of his way to ensure I was well informed and updated throughout, clearly explaining every step.
Rory M. · Google review
★★★★★
Helped me at every step of the process. Can not recommend enough.
Brad A. · Google review
The advocate who will defend your case
Alexander
Director · Solicitor · Higher Court Advocate
- Director of the firm
- Qualified Solicitor
- Higher Court Advocate
- 20+ years in motoring law
- Crown Court jury trial advocate
Alexander is a Director of the firm, a qualified Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, and has specialised in motoring law for over 20 years. For much of that time he was an advocate in the Crown Court, acting for clients in jury trials, and he has acted in some of the most serious road traffic cases there are. That work built a detailed knowledge of evidence, statute and case law — and, critically in this area, of disclosure and procedure, and how to use them to a client’s advantage in court.
Alexander has acted in some of the most serious road traffic cases there are, including in the Crown Court. Knowing how the prosecution builds a case of this kind is what makes it possible to take it apart, or to argue it down to something less serious.
He also understands the value of being approachable. He takes the time to guide clients through proceedings and explain each step, so that the process itself stops being one more thing to worry about.
Alexander is not the only solicitor here. Our motoring team handles cases across England and Wales, so your matter is never waiting on one person’s diary. Whoever acts for you, road traffic law is their specialism.
Find out which charge you are really facing
The gap between dangerous and careless is the gap between a mandatory ban and a fine. That is worth a free, confidential conversation before anything else happens.
- Free, confidential and with no obligation to instruct us
- You speak to a motoring solicitor, not a call handler
- An honest view of your options — including when there isn’t one
- A fixed fee agreed before any work begins
We call you back within 1 working hour.
Or call 0161 383 8855 nowRequest your free consultation
Confidential and free of charge. No obligation to instruct us. We call you back within 1 working hour — Monday to Friday.
Why Crown Court experience matters on these charges
Dangerous driving can be tried either way, and the most serious versions of it are Crown Court work. This is not the same as defending a speeding ticket.
Motoring law is all we do
Not one department among twelve. The procedural detail these cases turn on is our day job, not an occasional file.
Specialist advocates
The solicitor who reviews your case is the one who knows how these arguments are run in the magistrates’ court.
You get a real person
Direct contact with the solicitor handling your matter. No call centre, no ticket number.
Fixed fee, agreed upfront
You know the cost before any work starts. No hourly billing and no invoice that grows.
Dangerous and careless driving: your questions
What is the difference between dangerous and careless driving?
Careless driving means your driving fell below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver. Dangerous driving means it fell far below that standard and created danger to others. Only dangerous driving carries a mandatory disqualification and an extended retest, so the distinction decides the outcome.
Can a dangerous driving charge be reduced to careless?
Frequently, yes — and it is often the most valuable outcome available. Where we are instructed early we can negotiate with the prosecution on whether the driving genuinely meets the higher threshold. Early instruction matters a great deal here, because these conversations are far harder once the case has progressed.
Will I definitely be banned?
On conviction for dangerous driving, yes — a minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, along with an extended retest before you can drive again. For careless driving, the court has a discretion and the usual outcome is penalty points and a fine.
Could I go to prison?
It is possible for dangerous driving, depending on the seriousness. Community orders are more common at the lower end. This is one of the few motoring offences where custody is a realistic outcome, which is why the dangerous-versus-careless question matters so much.
What if the car was faulty?
A sudden and unexpected mechanical failure can be a complete defence. It generally needs expert engineering evidence rather than assertion, and preserving the vehicle for inspection matters — so tell us early if this applies.
How quickly will you get back to me?
Within 1 working hour, Monday to Friday. If you contact us outside those hours, leave your details on the form and you will hear from us at the start of the next working day.
What does it cost?
We work on a fixed fee agreed with you in advance, covering our advice, preparation and representation. You know the figure before any work starts and it does not change. Legal aid is not available for this work.
Do you cover my area?
We represent clients in courts across England and Wales. Our head office is in Chorley, but where your case is being heard does not restrict who can act for you.
The charge you are convicted of matters more than anything else
Getting a dangerous driving charge looked at early is the single most valuable step available. The consultation costs nothing.
We call you back within 1 working hour.